Here is a round-up of new products launching in 2016.
Wilderness to open new Botswana camp
Wilderness Safaris will launch a new luxury tented camp this year in the wildlife-rich Qorokwe private and exclusive concession on the southern boundary of the Chitabe concession in the Okavango Delta.
Designed by Joy Brasler Architect and Associates, Qorokwe Camp will comprise nine spacious tents, all raised off the ground and overlooking a large lagoon frequented by hippo. It will also boast one large family room, which will feature a private plunge pool. The surrounding area is characterised by a diversity of wildlife including large mammals such as elephant and buffalo. Daily game drives will be hosted by highly skilled Wilderness Safaris guides and seasonal water access will give guests the opportunity to enjoy mokoro and boat trips.
For more information, click here.
Villa da Praia to open in August
Villa da Praia is a new two-bedroom villa, due to open in August, at Santorini in Vilanculos. The villa is ocean facing and has its own lounge, kitchen and dining room. Both bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms with private patios. The one bedroom can be used for children or converted into a twin/king-size bed. There is a private infinity pool and outdoor dining area on the ocean-facing patio and a private butler is available for drinks and meal service.
Other features include a mini bar, air-conditioning, satellite television, inside and outside showers, room safes, WiFi and iPod docking stations. Guests can enjoy activities such as fishing and snorkelling.
For more information, click here.
Xanatseni Private Camp to open in February
Xanatseni Private Camp is an intimate camp in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve in South Africa, due to open in February. The Big 5 are commonly found close to the camp as the reserve shares unfenced boundaries with the Kruger National Park and forms part of the Greater Kruger.
Facilities include numerous lounges and a bar area adjacent to the swimming pool. There are five rooms, three of which are standalone chalets. All the rooms are located along a non-perennial riverbed, which provides an amazing view of the surroundings.
For more information, click here.
African Vineyard opens new wedding venue
African Vineyard, just outside Upington, Northern Cape, has added a new conference, wedding and function facility to its four-star guest house. The air-conditioned venue can accommodate up to 100 guests. Wedding services can be hosted at the stream at the border of the premises, with snacks and cocktails provided in the garden and the reception hosted in the main hall. The hall was previously a packing facility for table grapes and was converted into this multi-purpose facility.
Activities include river rafting, game viewing, wine tasting and a scenic photographic safari.
For more information, click here.
New conference centre for Sandton
Legacy Hotels has opened a new prime conference centre in the Legacy Corner Building on Fifth and Maude Streets in Sandton, Johannesburg. The Sophia, which opened on October 12, will be added to the DaVinci Hotel and Suites portfolio.
The conferencing venue can seat up to 121 people cinema style, 30 in U-shape, 60 in schoolroom and 36 in boardroom configuration. It can also accommodate 90 to 100 people in the banqueting hall and 120 for a standing cocktail reception. The Renaissance-style Sophia also offers audio-visual equipment, an art projector, screening facilities, high-speed WiFi Internet and unique themed events.
Mike Rowley of Legacy Hotels and Resorts says The Sophia was born out of a growing need in Sandton's prestigious Nelson Mandela Square for fine and spacious conferencing and function venues that offer personalised service and tailor-made packages.
For more information, click here.
Cinnamon Rooms to open in Zanzibar
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa will open its Cinnamon Rooms in Paje, Zanzibar, this month. The budget-oriented new property consists of four individual rooms with garden views designed for the budget-conscious traveller wishing to experience the luxury of a five-star resort.
New honeymoon suite in Hazyview
Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa opened a new honeymoon suite on December 20. The suite has an indoor bathroom and larger floor space than the existing tented suites.
New lodge to open in Victoria Falls
Batonka Guest Lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, will open in June. The 22 rooms will have en-suite facilities and a veranda. The main lodge will offer indoor and outdoor dining, a lounge and veranda opening on to the surrounding gardens. Facilities include a swimming pool, activities desk and curio shop.
‘Little Gorges’ tents to open in January
Imvelo Safari Lodges will open the Little Gorges raised tents near Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe in January. The tents hang over the Batoka gorge and have views of the gorge. There will be four twin-bed tents and one double-bed tent. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with a shower, toilet and double basin under canvas.
Tomjachu Bush Retreat to develop new tented camp
Tomjachu Bush Retreat in Nelspruit will construct an off-grid, eco-luxury tented camp in September, to extend the company’s high-quality self-catering accommodation. The existing farmhouse will also be renovated to create an all-inclusive luxury yoga retreat for groups of up to 12.
Country Boutique Hotel opens
Country Boutique Hotel in White River, Mpumalanga, is expected to open this month as part of the Extraordinary Collection. The hotel has 22 rooms, 14 of which are courtyard facing and the others have views of the White River Valley. The dining room opens on to a veranda.
City Lodge Hotel Newtown to open officially next month
City Lodge Hotel Newtown, which opened the first of its 148 rooms in early December, will officially open by the end of February. The hotel is situated in the trendy area of Newtown, Johannesburg, and will comprise two boardrooms, a mini-gym, a swimming pool, a coffee shop and a bistro-style lounge.
New penthouse opens in the Western Cape
The Penthouse on Beach opened on November 15 in Table View, Cape Town. The new property has three bedrooms: the Deluxe Room, the Table View Room and the Ocean View Room. The Deluxe room and the Ocean Room offer views of Bloubergstrand and the Table View Room offers view of Table Mountain.
African Luxury Hideaways introduces new villa
On February 1, construction will begin on a new private villa on the Cape Peninsula. The villa will be part of the African Luxury Hideaways portfolio and will be set in one of the peninsula’s most remote, secluded areas, offering sea and mountain views, as well as incorporating the latest in eco-friendly building practices.
Eco Camp launched in Gondwana Game Reserve
Elela Africa and Gondwana Game Reserve in the Western Cape launched a new Eco Camp in November. The six-day, five-night conservation experience allows guests to participate in wildlife and veld management, learn important bush skills and interpretation, as well as volunteer with the local community.
The Capital Mirage opens in Cape Town
The Capital Hotel Group opened The Capital Mirage in De Waterkant, Cape Town in November, the first Capital hotel outside Gauteng. The Capital Mirage has 65 hotel rooms and apartments comprising retail, residential and hotel facilities, a Sky Bar and pool on the roof, multiple restaurants, a gym and a spa.
The Capital On Bath to open in Rosebank
The Capital Hotel Group will open The Capital on Bath, Rosebank, this month. The 142 rooms consist of standard hotel rooms, luxury executive suites and bedroom apartments. Facilities include a business desk; coffee shop; outdoor swimming pool; a fitness centre overlooking a pool; a gym; and a large garden with space for soccer and cricket activities.
Water villas to open in Chobe
The new Chobe Water Villas in Namibia, will open in the middle of the year and will offer travellers activities such as game drives, a Chobe River safari cruise and a visit to the local village. The 16 individual water villas will overlook the Chobe River on the Namibian side.
Boutique hotel opens in Camps Bay
Sea Star Rocks Boutique Hotel, located below Table Mountain in Camps Bay, opened in December. The hotel has two pool rooms, three sea star rocks suites and one private pool suite as well as a pool, lounge and Jacuzzi.
New property to open in Tanzania
A new private island, Thanda Island, off the coast of Tanzania, will officially open in March. The island will comprise a five-bedroom villa with East African influences. Guests can enjoy the private coral reef that surrounds the island.
New hotel to open in downtown Jo’burg
Newmark Hotels, Reserves & Lodges will open a new hotel in Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg, in September. The hotel will have 46 apartments and two restaurants, one on the ground floor and The Grande on the roof top. Other facilities include a gym, parking, WiFi and art installations throughout all spaces.
Loisaba Tented Camp to open in March
The new Loisaba Tented Camp in the Loisaba Conservancy, Kenya, will open in March on the site of the former lodge. The camp will comprise four double rooms, one tented suite and two family tents. The camp will also have a bar, restaurant facilities and two infinity swimming pools.
The Silo to open in December
The Royal Portfolio will open The Silo hotel in the historic grain silo building in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, in December. The 28-room luxury hotel will occupy six floors and include a spa, a stylish piano bar, two restaurants, a fitness centre and a rooftop pool and champagne bar.
BON Hotels opens in Namibia
BON Hotel Swakopmund in Namibia opened in December. The 34-room, four-star hotel is situated near the Swakopmund CBD. The public areas comprise a health and wellness centre, gym, sauna and a 25m heated indoor swimming pool.
CapeNature unveils six new cottages
CapeNature opened six new self-catering cottages in the Algeria section of the Cederberg Wilderness Area on November 9. The new cottages are purpose-built and the kitchen is equipped with a fridge, kettle, toaster, oven and four-plate electric hob, as well as cutlery and crockery.
Mantis to develop new hotel
Mantis Collection will develop a new four-star hotel on St Helena, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, by mid-2016. Comair has also been awarded the first ever scheduled air services between Johannesburg and St Helena.
City Lodge opens Road Lodge Pietermaritzburg
The City Lodge Hotel Group opened its 90-room Road Lodge Pietermaritzburg in December. The property is on the corner of New England Road and Hesketh Drive in Hayfields, and is in the one-star rating category, aimed at budget-conscious business and leisure travellers.
